Mahalakshmi Arulkumar, v. The State Of Tamil Nadu,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 17.12.2018
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE Mr.JUSTICE C.T.SELVAM and THE HONOURABLE Mrs.JUSTICE S.RAMATHILAGAM H.C.P. No.1921 of 2018 Mahalakshmi Arulkumar W/o.Arulkumar ... Petitioner -Vs1.The State of Tamil Nadu rep. by The Secretary, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, Secretariat, Chennai 600 009.
2.The Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai Police, Vepery, Chennai-600 007.
3.The Inspector of Police, Cyber Crime Cell, Central Crime Branch, Chennai.
... Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Habeas Corpus, calling for the records relating to the order of detention BCDFGISSSV.NO.696/2018 dated, 13/08/2018 passed by the 2nd respondent and to quash the same and also to direct the detenu Sankaralingam, M/A 27 years, S/O.Chellaiya (Late), who is presently detained in the Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai to be produced before this Hon`ble court and set at liberty. For Petitioner :
Mr.Jim Raj Milton For Respondents:
Mr.R.Prathap Kumar Additional Public Prosecutor ***
ORDER
[Order of the Court was made by C.T.SELVAM, J] The petitioner, who is the brother of the detenu, namely, Sankaralingam, Son of Chellaiya, age 27 years, challenges the impugned order of detention, dated 13.08.2018 in No.696/BCDFGISSSV/2018 detaining his brother as "GOONDA", as contemplated under Section 2(f) of the Tamil Nadu Prevention of dangerous activities of Bootleggers, Drug Offenders, Forest
Offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders, Sand Offenders, Slum-grabbers and Video Pirates Act, 1982 (Tamil Nadu Act 14/1982).
2. The detenu has come to adverse notice in the following case:- S.No. Police Station & Crime No.
Section of Law 1.
Central Crime Branch Crime No.163/2018 153, 505(1)(b), 505(1)(c) IPC The ground case has been registered against the detenu in Crime No.125/2018 on the file of the Inspector of Police, Cyber Crime Cell, Central Crime Branch, for offences u/s 153, 504, 505(1)(b) and 506(i) IPC. The detention order has been passed by second respondent in No.696/BCDFGISSSV/2018 on 13.08.2018.
3. We have heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondents. We have also perused the records produced by the Detaining Authority.
4. Though several grounds have been raised in the Habeas Corpus Petition, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, confines his argument only in respect of nonapplication of mind on the part of the detaining authority in passing the order of detention.
5. The Grounds of Detention would reveal that one adverse case has been registered against the detenu and a ground case was registered against him in Cr.No.125/2018 for the offences u/s.153, 504, 505(1)(b) and 506(i) IPC. Admittedly, the detenu has moved bail application in the ground case as also in the adverse case and the same are pending before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Egmore, Chennai in Crl.M.P.Nos.3563 & 3600/2018 respectively. Therefore, the probability of release of the detenu imminently does not arise. Hence, we are inclined to set aside the detention order. Though the detaining authority has made reliance on similar case, in which an accused was granted bail, the facts involved in those cases are different. The principle of similarity cannot be applied mechanically.
Normally, bails are granted based on the facts and circumstances of each case. Therefore, similar case plea, cannot be taken into consideration. Hence, there is no material to substantiate that there is real possibility of the detenue coming out on bail and the said order was passed without application of mind.
6. In the result, the Habeas Corpus Petition is allowed and the order of detention in No.696/BCDFGISSSV/2018 dated 13.08.2018, passed by the second respondent is set aside. The
detenu, namely, Sankaralingam, Son of Chellaiya, aged about 27 years, is directed to be released forthwith unless his detention is required in connection with any other case. Sd/- Deputy Registrar //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar kmi To:
1.The Secretary, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, Secretariat, Chennai 600 009.
2.The Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai Police, Vepery, Chennai-600 007.
3.The Superintendent, Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai.
4.The Joint Secretary Public (Law and order) Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.
5.The Public Prosecutor High Court, Madras.
+2ccs to Mr.Jim Raj Milton, Advocate, S.R.No.87270 H.C.P.No.1921 of 2018 rrs 24/01/2019